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Arrival to Fremantle
We arrived to Fremantle, Australia last Tuesday, just 23 days after we had left Cape Town. Although we were only one day and just under eight hours behind the leader, this meant place nine. This is not what we had hoped for nor does it reflect the work we put into this race. However, we
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Around the Cape of Good Hope
Last Sunday it was time to leave Cape Town. We started with a parade down to the boats which was lead by an African dance group. Once on board our boat we had the obligatory crew picture taken before slipping lines. Already in the entry to the harbour we were reminded of the warning words
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Cape Town
The stopover in Cape Town was superb. We reached Cape Town around noon in best weather but we had spotted Table Mountain already in the first sunlight. It still is something special to see the first bit of land after weeks with only the blue ocean around. Unimaginable how the early discoverers must have felt
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For Science
The world’s oceans cover roughly 70% of the earth’s surface. Correspondingly large is their contribution to our planet’s climate. But many areas are not well studied or haven’t been studied at all. For climate scientists especially the water temperature, salinity level, CO2 concentration and surface currents are of interest. The temperature has an immediate effect
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Hello Southern Ocean
We have reached the northern extends of the Southern Ocean in the last few days. At a little over 40 degrees south we let ourselves be carried east by the northerly winds. The winds have been relatively steady over the past few days, but have been increasing. Also the waves have been growing at the
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On and on
There was a big relief on board when the recently repaired spinnaker was flying from the mast. The suspense was great as everyone knew how much time had been spent on the repair in Punta del Este. Even bigger were the emotions after the sail unfolded in all its glory. The signs of repair could
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Welcome to the South
The start from Punta del Este was a bit chaotic. Many spectators gathered on the breakwater, which had sheltered us from the incoming waves for the last few days. The course was set to start downwind, which caused a few challenges for everyone. However, it was again our boat which crossed the start line last.
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Ready to go: Course Cape Town
Arrival The last few days in Punta del Este have been very exhausting. Firstly, our arrival kept dragging out. Two days before the arrival we had hoped to come in on Sunday morning. On Saturday it became clear that we would not arrive before Sunday lunchtime. Then the wind turned in the night to Sunday
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The downsides
Punta del Este is in reach. Only a few hundred nautical miles are remaining until the end of leg 1. It has been a wild mix of conditions. Heavy upwind sailing in the Bay of Biscay was pretty uncomfortable. Then we had virtually no winds near the Canaries. And lately some great downwind sailing in
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Last Push towards Punta del Este
The wind has turned a bit so that we make good speed towards the next stopover in Punta del Este. The reaching conditions (wind from side to aft) mean also our heel has reduced so the boat is much flatter. On the other hand we are rolling more from one side to the other as
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Florian's Clipper 2025-26 Race Campaign
The ocean is the limit
